Carton for fragile articles



J 21, 1958 R. H. FITZ GERALD 2,820,586

CARTON FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed June 5, 1956 INVENTOR RAY H.FITZGERALD ATTORNEY United States Patent CARTON FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES RayH. Fitz Gerald, Nashville, Tenn.

Application June 5, 1956, Serial No. 589,517

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-28) This invention relates to a carton constructionand more particularly to a carton for fragile articles which isconstructed from a single blank.

In the storing and shipping of fragile articles, in particular eggs orthe like, special precautions must be taken to ensure that the cartonsor boxes which receive such articles olfer sufiicient protection toprevent breakage of or damage to their contents. For economic reasons,egg cartons must in addition be inexpensive and relatively simple inconstruction. Cartons employed heretofore, both the pressed pulp typeand the type formed from fibrous sheet material, are deficient in one ormore respects. A common failing of the prior art is the inability toproivde a practical, inexpensive carton which will offer sufficientprotection to its fragile contents. In attempts to provide the necessaryprotection, cartons have been manufactured which are impractical becauseof their complex construction. The simpler cartons have failed toprovide adequate protection.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a unique carton which overcomes the defects of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel carton which maybe formed from a single blank of sheet material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unique carton blank.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a carton which maybe erected from a blank positively and with great speed and simplicity.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a carton having anovel cushion construction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a unique cellularcarton.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention and the manner in whichsuch objects are accomplished will become more apaprent in the followingdetailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of an unfolded blank of the invention in itspreferred form;

Figure 2A and 2B are end elevation views of the carton of the inventionin different stages of its erection;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carton of the invention in itsfully erected state and ready to receive eggs or the like; and

Figure 4 is an end elevation view of the carton of the invention shownwith eggs inserted therein and the cover closed.

Briefly, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing asingle blank which is scored and folded to form a carton having front,rear, bottom and top panels, a cover, and an inverted V-shaped cushionsupported within the foregoing panels. The cushion is arranged tocooperate with sections of the top panel which are constructed so as toform transverse partitions within the carton. The blank may be providedto the packer in a partially folded state, from which complete erectionof the carton is extremely fast and simple.

Referring to Figure 1, the blank, generally designated 10, from whichthe carton is constructed, is constituted by a single elongated sheet ofmaterial, preferably a fibrous board. The blank is scored along a seriesof parallel lines 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 to define the followingparts in succession: a false bottom or cushion 26, a false or inner rearpanel 28, a top 30, a front panel 32, a bottom 34, a rear panel 36, acover 38, and a frontal locking lip 40. The entire blank may beperforated along a median line 42 so that the carton may be divided intohalves when finally constructed, if desired. Cushion 26 is scored alonga center line 44 and is provided with a row of triangular slots 46 eachhaving a vertex on line 44 and a side perpendicular to the line asshown. The cushion is slit as indicated at 48 in generally H-shapedconfigurations. The false rear panel 28 may be provided with a suitableadhesive 50 for a purpose to be described.

Top 30 is slit along the solid lines shown, such as lines 52 and is cutout as indicated at 56. In addition the top may be scored along thedotted lines such as 54. The bottom 34 is provided with at least oneaperture, such as 58. The frontal lip 40 is formed with a conventionalegg carton lock, such as a plurality of tongues 60 separated by aplurality of grooves 62.

The packer may be provided a blank in completely unfolded state, asshown in Figure l, or in a partially folded state. To place the blank inthe latter state, the blank is folded back upon itself to form a firstfold at line 20, a second told at line 16, and a third fold at line 12,as

' shown in Figure 2A. The false rear panel 28 may then be secured to therear panel 36 by employing the adhesive 50, or any other suitable means.With the blank folded as just described, the false bottom or cushion 26will lie sandwiched between the top 30 and the bottom 34- and willextend diagonally from the fold at line 12 toward the fold at line 16.It will be observed that the width of the cushion 26 between these foldsis significantly greater than the width of the bottom 34 between lines18 and 20 and that the height of the rear panel 36 between lines 20 and22 is significantly greater than the height of the false rear panel 28between lines 12 and 14.

In the state just described, the blank is still substantially flat,since it has not been bent along any of the other score lines, andaccordingly the blank consumes little storage or shipping space. Whenthe carton is to be erected for filling, the cover is bent back alongline 22. Then the blank is grasped in the left hand with the palmupward, the thumb engaging the corner of the carton at line 16, and thefingers (except the forefinger) engaging the corner at line 20. Theforefinger is placed in one of the holes 58 in the bottom 34, as shownin Figure 2B, and pressure is exerted between the thumb and the fingersengaging the corner at 20. This causes the blank to bend along lines 14and 18 and erects the front panel 32 and the rear panels 28 and 36. Thefree edge of the cushion 26 slides along the inner surface of the frontpanel 32 until it reaches the corner at line 16. At the same time theforefinger exerts an upward force on the under side of the cushion,causing it to bend along line 44 as shown in Figure 2B. The pressurebetween the thumb and the three fingers engaging the corner at line 20is continued until the carton assumes an over-square configuration asindicated by the phantom lines in Figure 2B. When this occurs, the freeedge of the cushion 26 slides downwardly along the inner surface of thefront panel 32 into the corner at line 18. The cushion then assumes aninverted V-shape with a pair of surfaces 26a. 26b sloping downwardlytoward the bottom 34 from. a ridge at line 44.

Referring to Figure 3, the end sections 64 of the top cushion whichnowfh'ave become triangular notchesinv the ridge of the cushion.Thisebending: may beconvenientlydone simultaneously with the first andsecond finger of each hand. The center sections'66'of the top are thenbentdownwardly ina similar manner. Intermediate sections 68'may be bentdownwardly manually, ifv desired, but where speed is of the essence,these sections may be erectedv automatically by placing. eggs in thecells between each pair. of intermediatesections. Sections 64, 66, and68 when=folded downwardly become transversepartitionsof. the carton. Theside edges. of the ,partitionsengage the front and rear panelsofthecartonre'spectively, and maintain the carton in astable rectangularform. The lower: edges of at least some of thepartitionsarecurvedasindicatedat 70in Figure 3 to impart a-corresponding. curvatureto the surfaces of the cushion 26.

Each-"of the notches 46 at the ridge of the cushionhas a 7 vertical sideformed by thelsideof. the corresponding triangular.- slot' of theblank-which isperpendicular to; the ridge line44, so thata surface ofeachpartitionmay abut this side of the notchbelow it and be heldsubstantially vertically. Each of the'notches slopes downwardly'firomthe vertex of the triangular slot at the ridge line toward its verticalside, sothat the partitions slide easily intothe corresponding notches.Itis thus apparent-that-the .partie tions fit within thecorrespondingnotches. of the-cushion and that the cushion extends above.thelower extremities of the partitions so as to serve as a longitudinaldivider for the carton. Two rowsof cells are thus formed by the cushionand the partitions.

When theeggs are inserted; asillustratediin Figure 4, they extendfabovethe front; panel 32. The rear panel 36'is high enough to accommodate.the eggs, however, and when the cover 38 is' closed, with the tonguesand grooves of the lip 40 interlocking with'the adjacent edges of thetop 30 in a well known manner, the height of the lip when added to thatof the front panel equals the height of the rear panel 36. The slits 48of the cushion provide convenient score lines for the curvature of thecushion surfaces and for the reception of the adjacent surfaces of theeggs. The articles are supported on the cushion above the bottom of thecarton and are thus isolated'frorn shocks applied to the bottom.Portions of at least some of the partitions, such as 68a in Figure 3,extend upwardly to engage the undersidepof the cover 38 and thus protectthe articles from shocks applied to the cover. It will thus be apparentthat a carton is provided, which oflfers adequate protection for fragilearticles, which is strong yet simple to erect, and which may be formedeconomically from a single blank.

While a preferred embodiment'of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatmodifications may be made in this embodiment without departing from theprinciples of the invention. Accordingly, this embodiment is exemplary,rather than restrictive of the invention, the scope of which isdefinedinthe appendedclaims, and those modifications which fallwithinthe meaning and range .of equivalency of the claims are includedtherein.

What is .claimedis;

l. A collapsible egg carton formed from a single integral blankcomprising adj'acentpanels delineated by parallel weakened lines andincluding successively a rear panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, atop panel and a lap panel secured to the inner face of the rear panel,said panels defining. a cartonhaving a:.rectangular crosssection,.said:blank.having a terminal cushionpaneLofine verted V-shapeprovided with a, central hinge lineat the apex of the Vnandi providedwith .a freeedgepositioned in; the front bottomtcorner oflhe carton,said top :panel having transverseandlongitudinalcut linestdefining turn:able partitionsucoacting. with. .said :V-shaped cushion to form cells,said; carton; being collapsible-along aplane diagonal relativevto saidrectangular. cross section of the carton,:with said cushion panel lyingflat insaid .plane.

.2; A carton asset 'forthjn claim 1, wherein said :bottom panel hasafinger hole for facilitating the setting upxof the carton, said finger}hole being located soas tosallow a finger to ,push againstthenndersideof the cushion member .to .form, said .inverted-V-shape as:the carton: is erected.

3, A; carton, as; setfortlr. in. claim 1, wherein: said rear panelextends above said front wall and base cover for said carton hingedthereon;

References Cited in the'file of this; patent UNITED STATES PATENTS,

Canada July-2 1, 1953

